The "Toy Story" Zoetrope

When I was growing up, my parents would bring my sisters and I to different summer lessons so we can do something productive. It started with swimming, the following year, art lessons and finally, yearly tennis summer workshops until we finish our grade school years. In tennis, we even joined competitions and I would meet my sister in the finals! After I won my first trophy, I knew I had to stop being "competitive." I was happy playing the sport, the win boosted my confidence but the most important lesson is to be content with the simple things. There was one match when I was up against a daughter of a stage father who was shouting vindictive words towards her daughter when she was making errors. Even if I was leading the match, I gave way and let the poor girl win. I wanted to end the girl's misery. Looking back, those "hardcore" junior players whom I have competed before are all gone from the tennis limelight. We have our different careers now and I am happy I made the decision early on to just enjoy the sport.
As I grew old, I began to choose the summer workshops I would like to take part in. In 1996, I enrolled in an intensive animation workshop. It was fun learning the basics of animation. I used a 16mm film camera and I appreciated every frame on the screen because for one second, I had to make 24 drawings or 24 movements!

The short film I made travelled to different film festivals from Amsterdam to Japan. Those trips were one of my first travels abroad.

My recent trip to Hong Kong Disneyland reminded me of my animation workshop. There's a" modern" Zoetrope from the "Toy Story"---one of the first fully computer generated animated films. It is also one of my fave films.

In reality, the figures of Buzz, Woody and Jessie are all static but once the spinning disk moves, it provides an illusion that they are creating movements. The strobe lights also helps with the persistence of vision which is a phenomenon of the eye to see an illusion. The animation is shown before your eyes LIVE!

Here's the video:

You Are in Hong Kong When...

You know you are in Hong Kong when...

You walk on your left side, traffic is also on your left side which makes me so confused because I've been living in Manila all my life and we use the right side of the road always.  Even in school as preschoolers, "walk to your right" is our general rule.  The "left" rule is the Brit's influence :) 

You pass by this bridge on your way out to the HK airport...

Condo living is a must...

You meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in a parade in Disneyland!

You are on a shopping mecca with brand name stores! Spending my day at Causeway Bay or Nathan Road is heavenly :)

One of the oldest transportation is the Sampan boat ride. My late grandmother would tell my mom stories of riding the Sampan when she used to work there when my mom was in her teens.

You use a toilet with this kind of small space! The only movement you can do is to sit down and stand up only! (This was taken in a restaurant.)

You get to see a marker where our great hero, Dr. Jose Rizal once held a clinic in a busy street near the Central MTR. Of course, the marker is so small (right side of the maroon building), no one can notice it!

You get to see lots of Filipina workers on a Sunday morning going to their favorite park!

More HK posts coming up :0

Bakery Fair 2009

I try to be open when attending fairs. When I was visiting Canada, my late grandmother would always ask me to accompany her to the weekend flea market. There I would see vintage collectibles and also see some new stuff---everything and anything are all there! So when I got an invite to attend this year's Bakery Fair at the World Trade Center, I said yes right away. It was just a walking distance from my family home and I was also curious about the appetizing possibilities of wheat because I love to eat! And so I present to you the different faces of bread...

Different cakes on display...
The winning cake: Angkor Wat
3rd Prize winner...so cute for children's parties :)
Belgian chocolates :)

They say ""wheat is the staff of life." In the food pyramid alone, bread is the most essential for the needed fiber and carbohydrates of our body. It claims to have more nutrients and vitamins.
An icing on the cake: Baking and cooking demos!

Bakery Fair is a biennial (every two years) event that showcases the best in bakery, confectionery and food industries of the Philippines. This year, hundreds of exhibitors held booths to show and sell their products. Many cooking and product demos took place. US Wheat Associates is an allied supporter of the organizer of the Bakery Fair 2009 event, Filipino-Chinese Bakery Association (FCBAI).

Why Corregidor is Important in our History...

Last weekend, my mom had a reunion with her high school classmates (Class of '69) at the historic Corregidor. Since I haven't visited this important place, I tagged along with around 28 mid-50s adults (mostly young grandparents LOL) and became their official photographer in their "school" field trip.

My two grandfathers served in the World War II. One lolo (grandfather) was a medical doctor who walked during the Death March at Bataan. He would tell me stories on how he survived the war. His name is in a marker at Tagaytay City. When he was alive, he would bring us there, proudly showing his name. He died when he was 97 years old!

On the otherhand, my groovy lolo was a runner in Tarlac. During his teen years, he would do errands for the Americans. He is still alive and might be one lucky Veteran because he might be one of the recipients of the proposed $198 million compensation for Filipino war veterans under the US Senate's economic stimulus package.

Ruins were preserved to respect the US and Filipino soldiers.

Old Cinema

So why is Corregidor important for the Filipinos and Americans? During World War II, when we were battling the Japanese Army, our puppet government was in Manila but the real government was holding office in the island and at a tunnel! And yes, General Douglas MacArthur, the man who said, "I shall return," was based in Corregidor.

At the time of Pearl Harbor, MacArthur's ground forces consisted of the Philippine Army of 10 divisions and supporting troops, with a total strength of about 100,000, and a US Regular Army contingent of more than 25,000. Of the latter force, the largest unit was the Philippine Division, consisting of one American regiment and two Philippine Scout regiments. http://worldwar2history.info/Bataan/

Our tour guide, Mr. Alfonso is also a veteran, very witty and if you don't pay attention to his "lecture," he would say, "Sasabutan kita!" (I'll pull your hair!) He's into his early 70s but still sharp, working and gwapo (handsome) for his age. He proudly shares that he has a mixture of Spanish, American and Filipino blood. He states that Corregidor with its strategic location was one of the last places to surrender to the Japanese Army.

I saw a lot of artilleries and the most exciting for me is walking inside the Malinta Tunnel to witness the light and sound presentation written and directed by the late National Artist Lamberto Avellana entitled, "The Malinta Experience." It is the National Artist's final tribute "to valor, peace and international understanding."

Inside the Malinta Tunnel...My lolo was under USAFFE that's why I took this pic from National Artist Lamberto Avellana's presentation.

At the Pacific War Memorial Museum...

Airplane

Philippine Money

I suggest that if your grandparents are still alive, make a family trip to Corregidor. Inquire at the CCP Bay Terminal re the day trip or overnight stay and relive our history. The entire Corregidor tour is worth it!

For tour packages, visit http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/ Email:corregidortours@suncruises.com.ph and Tel: (632) 5275555 ext 4511 to 13.

My Gisele Bundchen Sand Fem @ Corregidor

I first had my flip flops during my first trip to Boracay. My fave "footwear" went on to travel from Los Angeles, USA, Singapore, Bangkok and Macau and to local destinations like Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Baguio, etc.

With deep regrets, I had to retire it. The sole had become thinner and softer which makes walking very uncomfortable. And if you're a wandering traveller, your feet leads you to different magical places! You have to pamper your feet with the best footwear to enjoy any journey!

I have discovered a new line called Ipanema Gisele Bundchen Seeds Collection. I am a practical person. I don't go ga-ga over a star's product endorsement. GB is quite a popular figure in the fashion industry, not because of her beauty but her strong environmental advocacy. I have never been fashion conscious. I buy things because of the quality, not because it is advertised in glossy magazines. So when my eyes first caught the GB Seeds Sandal Fem, it was totally love at first sight. The style is so feminine but at the same time, the material is tailor made for long walks.

My Ipanema's first destination is Corregidor. Spot my GB Seeds in the photos below :)

My verdict on my first try with my GB: Two thumbs up! Lucky for my newest flip flop for it would go places! I'm bringing her with me on my next travels :)